s&w 41 mag 6 shot revolver

[Gbroger]

hello. ok, im new to firearms. my dad passed in 2018 and left me 3 firearms, my 41 mag revolver is awsome. ive been going to a rifle range and shooting it. but i need someone to who i can describe to , too tell me exactly what i have. my friends told me that i would only be able to shoot so many through it untill my hands and wrist would get sore, well, that isnt true, i could shoot it all day. if someone could point me in the right direction as to who can tell me more about my 41 mag, i would be very happy. thnx

[mod34]

Welcome, you've come to the right place. If you can post a picture or two that would be a good start. Even one good picture will get us pointed in the right direction.

[murphydog]

Have a look at this post, if you are able to provide the information an ID of your .41 should be simple.

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

[rubiranch]

My M-58 .41 Mag is one of my favorite shooters.
I don't shoot light loads in any of my guns and I could shoot this one all day.

[gwpercle]

If you look at my avatar you will see a S&W Model 58 .
These are easy to ID because they have fixed sights and a heavy 4" long barrel . They can be finished in blue or nickel plated .
Mine is not wearing it's small factory stocks(grips) but some custom grips made by Kim Ahrend .
Does yours look like this .
Gary

[steelslaver]

Give us the serial number, from the bottom of the grip frame(if your worried about privacy replace the last 2 or 3 numbers with an x for each), tell us whether it has fixed or adjustable sights, the length of the barrel from where it meets the cylinder to the muzzle and you will get an approximate date of manufacture. Also, if you open the cylinder and look on the frame what is stamped there. On older models there would only be an assembly number, Newer models would have either a 57 or 58 and possibly a -the another number. The number after the - tells us what revision it would be.

Pictures of both sides do help also and even if we don't need the pictures to figure it out we do like them
and welcome to the forum

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

As already mentioned, a picture would be the most helpful in terms of general identification

If a Model number is stamped under the crane, that is a good piece of information

Aside from guestimating a date of manufacture, serial numbers rarely provide useful information as far as identification goes

Here on the Forum you will find many admirers of the 41 Magnum cartridge and the firearms that shoot it

Somewhat like you, I accidentally got my first 41 Magnum around 1980. In the 40 years since then it has grown into a full fledged passion. I have found the 41 Magnum to be one of the most accurate cartridges I have ever come across

Here is a old group photo of my 41 Magnums from about 10 years ago. I truly need to update it, but I need to get a bigger floor space

.

[Doug M.]

With hot loads, a .41 can be a handful. With mid-range loads like a moderate weight semi-wadcutter at or below 1000 fps, it's a nice shooting revolver. One's tolerance will vary with age, too. I was a lot more tolerant 35 years ago.

[rubiranch]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

Somewhat like you, I accidentally got my first 41 Magnum around 1980.

"accidently"

Love the picture.

[mod34]

Guys, we don’t even know if it’s a Smith yet.

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by rubiranch

"accidently"

Love the picture.

YES, accidentally

I know I posted the story before.

Back in 1980 one of my co workers came to me with a 3 week old nickel Model 57 in the presentation case along with several boxes of Factory ammunition. He asked me if I could give him $250. His wife had just hit him with Divorce papers and he needed cash to retain an attorney.

I gave him what he asked because I could afford to. I was going to sell it off because I had not heard of the 41 Magnum back then and was totally pleased 357 Magnum and 45ACP

A jeweler buddy of mine suggested that I take some of the ammo and we go to the range and try it out before I sell it.

Our local indoor range is somewhat short. We only had 10 meters to the end. My first shot from the revolver was about an 1/8 of an inch off center on the X. Needless to say I was thrilled. I took my second shot and there was no second hole. My buddy told me I must have missed. I do not miss a 12x12 target only 30 feet away from me, well at least back then I didn't

We pulled the target back in and there was the second hole, just slightly offset from the first.

Back out for shot 3 and again no hole. We pulled it in and the tiniest of cloverleafs was forming.

As I was sending the target back out my buddy said he would give me $5,000 if the 4th bullet did the same thing. I knew he was serious and he could afford to do it . . . well I did not do good with that pressure and I pulled the shot. However rounds 5 and 6 created a group that could be covered under a quarter

If you look at the 6" Nickel Model 57 in he bottom left of the group photo, that is the revolver. I still own it to this day and I have been happy to learn that all of my other 41 Magnums have been exceptionally accurate as well